Hip-hop artist says he wants $8-10 million due to being ripped-off by James Franco's character

Rapper Riff Raff is planning on suing the makers of the film Spring Breakers for identity theft, according to reports.

TMZ says that the hip-hop artist is plotting a multi-million dollar lawsuit due to the likeness between him and James Franco’s character in the film. Riff Raff, real name Jody Christian, says that Franco’s character is a rip-off of his rap persona and has stolen his catchphrases, jewellery and tattoos.

The rapper, who claimed he wanted between $8 and 10 million dollars for the perceived identity theft but insisted he was still a fan of the film, said: “It’s like if I have a front yard and you’re planting soil and you’re planting trees and building peaches and houses and selling parking lots on my property then I deserve to be compensated for some portion of that money.”

As Pitchfork notes, Riff Raff has previously made light of the similarities between Franco’s character and his own persona – in May of this year, he made an appearance on the US soap opera One Life To Live playing an art dealer named James Franko.

Spring Breakers was released in September last year. The film, which was directed by Harmony Korine, also starred Selena Gumez, Vanessa Hudgens and rapper Gucci Mane in addition to Franco.